Sinan Kerimofski

ACEL WA Branch President

Sinan is the Principal of Vasse Primary School, an Independent Public School, situated in the southwest of Western Australia. He is also the ‘CAPES’ region Network Principal.

Vasse Primary is situated in a rapidly growing suburb. The school was established in 1869 where 12 students commenced their schooling with one teacher. Now the school boasts over 730 students and 75 staff. He has worked in rural, regional and metropolitan schools in Western Australia over the past 26 years. Sinan’s focus has been to ensure the school is well resourced with a strong positive culture through focusing on fostering positive relationships.

He is also passionate about engaging students through creating flexible, adaptable and stimulating learning environments.

Sinan's leadership beliefs are simple:

• Create clear vision and direction
• Build solid relationships through positive communication and shared experiences
• Surround yourself around good people
• Acknowledge innovation and self-improvement.

Nicole Brown

ACEL WA Branch Secretary/Treasurer

Nicole is the Deputy Associate Principal – Primary at Peter Moyes Anglican Community School in Mindarie, WA. She has worked in both the Government and Independent sectors for over 20 years, carrying out a range of teaching and leadership positions.

Nicole has implemented an outstanding education program for parents and community members; a mentoring program for new staff, and is actively developing professional learning communities within the school.

She is passionate about empowering staff in order to build their capacity, ensuring the delivery of quality teaching and learning within each classroom. Nicole’s professional learning interests include Early Childhood Education and School Improvement. Outside school she is an avid traveller, a member of Toastmasters and enjoys reading a good book.

Nicole holds a Master of Education (Educational Leadership), Graduate Certificate in Literacy Education and Bachelor of Arts in Primary Education.

Leonie Clelland

Branch Executive Member

Leonie is the Foundation Principal of Treendale Primary School, a public K-6 primary school which opened in 2014 in the Southwest of WA. She has been a school leader in regional WA for over 12 years, leading a diverse range of schools in the Pilbara, Midwest and Goldfields before opening Treendale. 

Leonie has been recognized and awarded for her ‘hands on’ and inspirational leadership. She was awarded WA Primary Principal of the Year in 2012 and in 2013 a National ACEL Fellowship. In 2016 Leonie was one 20 Independent Public School Principals to be selected to travel to Harvard University and become a ‘Fellow’ of WA public education. 

Developing 21st Century learning skills in a dynamic, collaborative and fun learning environment where student and staff well being is valued and enhanced is paramount to Leonie’s beliefs. She strives to develop creative, curious, confident and resilient learners.

Dainon Couzic

Branch Executive Member

Dainon has held various leadership positions in London, metropolitan Perth and regional Western Australian Schools.

Dainon holds the belief that outstanding leaders who foster focussed Professional Learning Communities, both within the school and the broader community, can ultimately impact positively on student outcomes and markedly improve whole school performance.

Dainon has recently completed his Masters of School Leadership for which he was awarded the ‘Fogarty Foundation Educational Excellence Award’. As Principal of Busselton Senior High School Dainon was selected to be part of the WA Department of Education Independent Public School’s Harvard Fellowship Program in 2017.

Liz Criddle

Branch Executive Member

Dr Liz Criddle has extensive experience in senior leadership roles within independent schools, where she has developed her vision to grow active, connected educational communities where engaged learners seek to live lives of purpose and possibility.

Her significant academic background, financial skills, strategic resourcing experience, and curriculum knowledge include contributions in education research, state examining panels, as President of her professional association and membership of a range of educational bodies. She has presented at numerous national conferences and published in national journals as well as in her subject area.

Liz holds a PhD from the University of Western Australia, a Master of Education with Honours from UWA and a post graduate diploma from Murdoch University. She is a recipient of the NSW Premier's Award for Teaching Excellence.

Dr Sandra Heldsinger

ACEL WA Branch Executive Member and convener of the Branch Advocacy and Publications Committee

Sandra has wide-ranging applied and theoretical experience in educational assessment. She coordinated the WA population testing program for a number of years, and led the development of web-based software to assist Independent schools in WA to interpre their NAPLAN data and evaluate their school programs. Sandra is presently leading an initiative to help schools collect reliable judgements from their teachers using classroom-based assessments. Sandra developed central components of the WA Curriculum and Assessment Outline for SCSA and co-authored ‘What teachers need to know about assessment and reporting’ which was recently published by ACER.

She has developed courses in assessment for educational leaders and offers those courses at a Masters level for the University of Western Australia (UWA) and for the Association of Independent Schools WA (AISWA). Sandra has led research in educational assessment and measurement in a broad range of domains with a view to supporting teachers obtain good information about their students’ development in learning.

Kristin Humphreys

Branch Executive Member

Kristin is a Numeracy Consultant for the Association of Independent Schools of WA (AISWA). As a consultant she works with leaders and teachers, across WA, to improve pedagogical content knowledge. This involves coaching, guidance, advice and professional learning, stemming from the Curriculum. Kristin is an accomplished presenter at a State and National level and co-author of ’10 Minutes Tops’ and ‘Check the Clues’. She completed her Masters of Education in Learning Difficulties in 2012 and has independently researched the effective use of iPads in the primary mathematics classroom. Kristin has a passion for hands-on learning experiences, innovation, inquiry-based learning and technology in the classroom.

Matt Osborne

Branch Executive Member

Matt has more than 20 years experience as a principal in both rural and metropolitan schools. He was appointed foundation principal of Comet Bay Primary School in 2006.  He has a reflective approach to leadership and collaboratively strives for excellence in teaching and learning. He focuses on instilling pride and a sense of community in the school by actively involving parents and all stakeholders in the community.  Matt has been a principal advisor for the student-centred funding project, supporting, training and advising colleagues in this system-level reform in WA. He is currently a principal advisor in the school improvement and support unit building governance capacity of school councils and board.  He sees great potential for ACEL to engage in school governance opportunities to support school leaders develop educational partnerships to ultimately improve student outcomes.

Bruno Pileggi

Branch Executive Member

Bruno Pileggi has worked for over 20 years in numerous roles in WA across Catholic and Government schools, including various positions within Central Office in the Department of Education. Bruno is currently Deputy Principal at Ballajura Community College responsible for the Middle School, Teaching and Learning and Student Services. He has led school and statewide projects centred on improving outcomes for students whilst empowering and building the capacity of teachers and school leaders. Bruno is passionate about lifelong learning and is committed to continual growth and development of the teaching profession.